Maryland Historical Trust

06/12/2026

Happy ! New resources have been added to the MHT library research guide on + history in Maryland! Check it out on our website: https://mht.maryland.gov/research/mht-library.

The library is open to the public on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays by appointment only. For further information or to schedule an appointment, contact Lara Westwood by email at [email protected] or by phone at (410) 697-9546.

06/10/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 Heritage Fund awardees! We're proud to collaborate with Preservation Maryland to support grants to preservation projects across Maryland, including efforts to document untold stories, expand educational opportunities, improve public interpretation, and care for historic places.

Preservation Maryland is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Heritage Fund grants, a cooperative effort between Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust. The Heritage Fund supports projects […]

06/09/2026

We had an amazing time wrapping up the 2026 Maryland Preservation Awards last week! We were honored to celebrate two great examples of specialized craftsmanship and historic trade apprenticeships: USS Constellation Rigging Restoration Project and the Durable Restoration Company.

A special thank you to Historic Ships in Baltimore and Living Classrooms Foundation for hosting our celebration. The USS Constellation looks stunning and ready for decades of learning to come. We can't wait to come back for Sail250 Maryland to see her alongside the Pride of Baltimore II, Maryland Dove, and so many other tall ships that are all on their way to Baltimore.

We also got a behind-the-scenes look at The Durable Restoration Company’s roofing workshop to see how their magic happens, and a big shoutout to Legislative District 13 for honoring them with a citation!

The Maryland Preservation Awards traditionally open each year in January. Keep your eyes peeled for an announcement early next year so you can nominate a project in your community.

Did you miss any of the awards live? Catch up on our YouTube channel: bit.ly/4dmSkUj.

News round-up:
📺 USS Constellation in Baltimore's Inner Harbor wins state preservation award for mast restoration: bit.ly/4ocKkcy
📰 USS Constellation earns Maryland Historical Trust award for restoration work in Baltimore: bit.ly/4uTkVXR

Senator Guy Guzzone Delegate Gabriel M. Moreno Jen Terrasa - Howard County Pam Lanman Guzzone

06/04/2026

Join us LIVE from the roofing workshop at The Durable Restoration Company as we present them with the Maryland Preservation Award for Outstanding Organizational Leadership at the Local Level!

06/03/2026

LIVE NOW: The last surviving Civil War naval vessel afloat is receiving a Maryland Preservation Award! 🏆

Tune in as we celebrate the USS Constellation receiving the Excellence in Restoration Award for their Rigging Restoration Project!

Led by Historic Ships in Baltimore and Living Classrooms Foundation, this project was the first comprehensive conservation of the ship’s three masts since 1999. Using traditional maritime techniques, it didn't just restore a historic icon but also served as a "living classroom" for hands-on workforce training.

See her in all her glory as she anchors the Sail250 Maryland celebration right here in 2026! ⛵

Drop your congratulations in the chat!

06/03/2026

Do you have a project idea involving research, survey, documentation, planning, or education activities related to Maryland’s historic, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources? Apply now for the FY 2027 Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant round! Funding totaling $300,000 has been distributed from the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Financing Fund to MHT for these purposes. Check out our website (https://bit.ly/4w4LE4A) for more information and to start an application.

The application involves two steps:
(1) Complete an Intent to Apply (ITA) and
(2) Complete the full application.

ITAs are due June 24, 2026. Full applications are due on July 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM.

Past projects funded by the Historic Preservation Non-Capital Grant Program include:
• Ground penetrating radar survey of Fort Cumberland
• Documentation of early to***co barns in southern Maryland
• Update to the National Register nomination for the Westminster Historic District
• Archaeological survey of Piscataway sites along the north shore of the Potomac River

Photos courtesy of Willie Graham and Towson University

06/02/2026

Applications are now available for the FY27 competitive commercial tax credit! Capped at $5 million, this tax credit supports substantial rehabilitation projects to historic buildings throughout the state and is Maryland’s largest and most competitive preservation incentive. For more information, contact details, and to download the new application forms, visit our website: tiny.cc/CompTaxMHT.

Don’t forget, the application deadline is August 31!

Photos: PS 103 – Henry Highland Garnett Elementary School, Glen Arm Station (Ma -Pa Whistle Stop), and Baltimore Greyhound Station

06/02/2026

The last week of the Maryland Preservation Awards is upon us! We close them out by highlighting a landmark maritime preservation project and leadership in preservation practice.🏆

Tomorrow, June 3 join us as we present the award for Excellence in Restoration to Historic Ships in Baltimore and the USS Constellation for the Rigging Restoration Project. This was a major restoration effort preserving the last Civil War-era naval vessel afloat through traditional craftsmanship and training.

Then on Thursday, June 4, we will finish off our award season with the Maryland Preservation Awards: Durable Restoration Company for Outstanding Organizational Leadership at the Local Level. Durable Restoration is known for their quality work around the state and for training the next generation of preservation trades professionals.

Last week’s awardees reflected the many ways preservation shapes community and place. In Frederick, we celebrated the incredible adaptive reuse of the 160-year-old Visitation Hotel Frederick. Thank you to Senator Karen Lewis Young and Michael O'Connor, Mayor of Frederick for joining us to celebrate!

In Hagerstown, it was a privilege to recognize Reggie Turner for his transformative leadership in preserving the historic Jonathan Street community and the Robert W Johnson Community Center, Inc. It was great to have Senator Paul Corderman, Senator Joanne C. Benson, Judge David Young, Naki Frierson (representing not only the Jonathan Street community but also Senator Van Hollen), Garland Thomas with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and Mary Means with Main Street America to help us honor Reggie’s profound impact on Western Maryland.

Join us for these final ceremonies!

Did you miss the most recent awards live? Catch up on our YouTube channel: bit.ly/4dmSkUj.

06/01/2026

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Maryland History Day a success! MHT staff were proud to serve as judges and sponsor the 2026 special prizes for Excellence in Historic Preservation (by MHT) and Excellence in United States Military History (by the Maryland Military Monuments Commission).

This year’s theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” inspired students to explore stories of change, preservation, and impact throughout history.

Congratulations to the Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation winners:
🎖️ Junior Division: Saanvi Lanke, Shady Grove Middle School (Montgomery County) — “Three Generations: Buck v. Bell and the Legalization of Eugenics in America”
🎖️ Senior Division: Maxwell Adams-Rossman, Frederick Homeschoolers — “The Railway with a Heart of Gold: How the Talyllyn Railway Saved the History of Steam Engines”

Congratulations to the Award for Excellence in United States Military History winners:
🎖️ Junior Division: Grace Ray and Keira Grove, The Tome School (Cecil County) — “Clara Barton and the Revolutionary Founding of the American Red Cross”
🎖️ Senior Division: Aurora Casey, The Calverton School (Calvert County) — “Breaking the Waves: Women at the United States Naval Academy”

We were inspired by the creativity, research, and passion demonstrated by students across the state and are honored to support the next generation of historians and preservationists.

Maryland Humanities